Pubdate: Wed, 09 Nov 2005
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2005 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286

POLICE WARN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INGESTING HALLUCINOGENIC JIMSON WEED

Toronto Police are warning the public after learning that individuals
are intentionally ingesting a hallucinogenic plant. Jimson weed or
Datura is considered poisonous and can be fatal if ingested, police
said yesterday.

The plant, pictured, attacks the central nervous system. The heart
beats faster, vision becomes blurry and the individual becomes thirsty
and has trouble swallowing or talking. A person can have seizures or
slip into a coma.

Last month, 12 teenagers in Virginia Beach were hospitalized after
eating the toxic plant. Jimson weed is a smelly, inconspicuous plant
found on roadways and in fields. It looks like a spiked pear with
green leaves and sprouts horn-shaped white or purple flowers.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin